Crop damage hurts Isabgol growers in MP's Neemuch dist

Jagdish Lohar, in his mid 40s, of Bharbhadia village in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh is distraught. Reason: Lohar is one of more than four lakh farmers, whose Isabgol crop was damaged in the unseasonal rain and hailstorms that hit the state twice — in the first week of March.

Jagdish Lohar, in his mid 40s, of Bharbhadia village in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh is distraught.

A few days ago his eldest son, a Class 12 pass out, was selected for a three-month electrical training programme with an Indore-based firm. But he is in no mood to celebrate.

Reason: Lohar is one of more than four lakh farmers, whose Isabgol crop was damaged in the unseasonal rain and hailstorms that hit the state twice — in the first week of March.

Neemuch, known for its opium cultivation, has of late found a new cash crop in the form of Isabgol. "Opium is always there which gives return. But for small and marginal farmers, Isabgol is indeed the new cash crop," said Lohar, who suffered a loss of seven quintals this year.